Bar Bending and Concreting Level-II - Learning Guide #18 - Unit of Competence: Read and Interpret Plans and Working Drawings - LO5 Correctly read and interpret specifications

Sep 14, 2026

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Learning Guide #18 for Bar Bending and Concreting Level II focuses on reading and interpreting plans and working drawings, with LO5 targeting correct interpretation of specifications. The guide explains how customer variations may be requested against standard specifications and how such variations must be recorded through addenda or notes on plans. It defines specifications as legally binding written descriptions that supplement drawings, and details their purpose: fixtures and fittings, builder instructions, regulatory references, safety and protection during construction. It also covers layout, preliminaries, schedules, and handling changes or amendments.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time7 min

AccessFree to download

Learning Instructions

Learning Outcome (LO5)

Information Sheet-1: Identifying Customer Variations and Standard Specifications

Customer Variations

Specifications: Definition and Legal Role

Purpose of Specifications

Layout, Preliminaries, and Schedules

Changes and Amendments

Bar Bending & Concreting Level-II Learning Guide-\#18 Unit of Competence: Read and Interpret Plans and Working Drawings Module Title: Reading and Interpreting Plans and Working Drawings LG Code: EIS BBC2 M05 1019 LO1-LG-18 TTLM Code: EIS BBC2 M05 TTLM 0919v1 LO5: Correctly read and interpret specifications | Page 0 of21 | Federal TVET Agency Author/Copyright | Bar Bending and Concreting Level II | Version-1
October 2019 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Instruction Sheet | Learning Guide \#18 | | --- | --- | This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following content coverage and topics: • Identifying customer variations and standard specifications • Interpreting essential elements • Estimating, planning and supervising tasks • Identifying & undertaking building codes of Ethiopia This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page. Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to: • Identify customer variations to standard specifications. • Apply Correct interpretations of essential elements to estimation, planning and supervisory tasks and communicate. • Identify Building codes or standards affecting the work to be undertaken, including references to Ethiopian standards and the Building Code of Ethiopia Learning Instructions: 1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide. 2. Follow the instructions described below 3 to 6. 3. Read the information written in the information “Sheet 1, Sheet 2, and Sheet 3”. 4. Accomplish the “Self-check 1, Self-check t 2, and Self-check 3”. 5. Check the answers for your achievement from the answer key | Information Sheet-1 | Identifying customer variations and standard specifications | | --- | --- | 1.1. Customer variations Clients can call for variations to the standard specification. Variations can be to: • quality expected • Listed PC items • Materials and finishes • Variations must be recorded (Addendum to Specs or noted as variation to plans) 1.2. Specifications A specification is a written description of the building to be constructed. It supplements the information on the drawings and, like the drawings, it is a legal part of the contract between the client and the builder. A specification might only be a few pages long for a small project such as an addition toa house, or it might be a multi-volume set of bound books for a big project such as a shopping mall or high-rise building. For a large commercial or industrial project there may be a specification for the architectural features, and additional specifications for the plumbing, electrical and mechanical requirements of the job. For house construction, one specification booklet is usually sufficient. The purpose of a specification Drawings are the best way to convey most of the information required for a building project, but a specification is needed to explain anything that cannot be included clearly in the drawings. Specifications are commonly used to communicate the following. • Fixture and fittings to be used, where things like dimensions, color or model number are important – e.g. ‘Acme ‘De Luxe claw foot bath, 1675mm, white’. • To provide instructions to the builder or tradespeople for how something is to be done. For example, drawings might show that internal walls are to have a plaster finish, but it is the specification that tells the plasterer how – ‘bring walls to a reasonable flat surface by the application of a cement render float coat while the plaster is setting’. Instructions can also relate to regulations. • To provide instructions to the builder about things that may not be part of the finished building but that nevertheless need to happen during the project – for example, safety barriers, disposal of rubbish or protection or adjoining properties. Specifications usually include a clause about making good any damage to

FAQs

What are customer variations to standard specifications?

Clients can request variations affecting quality, listed PC items, and materials or finishes. All variations must be recorded as an addendum to specs or noted on the plans.

What is the purpose of a specification in a building contract?

A specification provides written details that drawings cannot clearly show, including fixtures and fittings, instructions for tradespeople, regulatory-related directions, and requirements during the project.

How can changes to the specification be handled?

Changes are made through amendments to materials, products, or methods, and should be clearly marked. Amendments typically need signatures or initials from both the builder and the client.

Sep 14, 2026

Upload by Blaney